Soccer fans flock to Triangle businesses

This weekend, thousands of soccer players are flocking to the Triangle - pumping up fans on the field, and pumping money into local businesses.It's everything soccer at the Soccer Post store in Raleigh - and they are getting just about everyone in there this weekend.

"We've had people from Alaska, Canada, Bermuda," said Karen Varley, the store's owner. "The other night they showed up in a bus."

She is getting a big business boost thanks to the National Soccer Series in the Triangle this weekend. Today - about 6,800 soccer players packed the soccer center in Raleigh for an annual tournament, and they come from everywhere.

"It's a really good opportunity," said Stephanie Bate. "We've been looking forward to it. It's got a great reputation of having so many good college coaches come and recuit."

The NCAA Men's College Cup is also packing thousands into the Triangle. For all the out-of-towners, these tournaments mean spending money in our state.

"We get plane tickets down here," said James Greenslit, a recruiter. "We stay at a hotel...we're staying at the Hilton Garden Inn."

The Capital Area Soccer League estimates this soccer-bonanza will generate more than $2.5 million for the Triangle - with big business for more than 100 hotels. And of course - cash for local businesses.